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Climates of the Earth. Chapter 3. Earth-Sun Relationship. Section 1. Climate v. Weather. Climate. Weather. Term for weather patterns that an area typically experiences over time. Condition of the atmosphere in one place during a limited period of time. . Earth Tilt and Rotation. Tilt.
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Climates of the Earth Chapter 3
Earth-Sun Relationship Section 1
Climate v. Weather Climate Weather • Term for weather patterns that an area typically experiences over time • Condition of the atmosphere in one place during a limited period of time.
Earth Tilt and Rotation Tilt Rotation • Axis- imaginary line running from the north pole to the south through the planets center • Because of the tilt, not all places on the earth receive the same amount of direct sun light at the same time. • The tilt affects the temperature • How hot or cold a place is. • Measured in degrees on a set scale • More sunlight= higher temps • Less Sunlight = Colder temps • Earth also rotates on an axis • 1 rotation ever 24 hours • Rotates West to East, turns one hemisphere then the other toward the sun, alternating them between the light of day and the dark of night.
Revolution • The earth takes 1 revolution, or trip around the sun, every 365 days • Revolution + Tilt = changes in angle and the amount of sun that reaches places of the Earth • Seasons • Seasons are reversed North and South of the Equator • Equinox- day where daylight and nighttime hours are equal. Around March 21st
Tropics of Cancer and Capricorn • Tropic of Cancer- Northern most point of the earth • When the sun directly hits the Tropic of Cancer the north experiences its longest days of the summer = Summer Solstice • Tropic of Capricorn- Southern most point • When the sun is directly on the Tropic of Capricorn it marks the shortest days in the North = Winter Solstice
The Poles • The most dramatic variation of the amounts of sunlight happen at the poles • The pole angled toward the sun receives constant sunlight while the pole angled away receives little to no sunlight • North Pole- March 20- September 23rd is constant day light, while the south has none • South Pole-September23-March 20th Constant day light, while the north has none
Greenhouse Effects • Only part of the sun’s radiation passes through the earth’s atmosphere while the rest is reflected back into space • The radiation that makes it through warms the earth and water. • The earth acts like a greenhouse because it traps some of the sun’s energy from escaping the earth to quickly • this helps w/ growing plants, even in cold weather. • With out this earth would be too cold for most living things
Greenhouse Effect • If too much heat escapes, plants will freeze • If too much heat is trapped, plants will wilt and dry out • This is similar to how the earth works
Global Warming • Belief that a rise in global temperatures has occurred due to human activity • Examples: burning of coal, oil, and natural gas • Fossil fuels release carbon dioxide, a greenhouse gas, in the atmosphere that traps more heat
Factors Affecting Climate Section 2
How does latitude affect climate? As latitude ________, the average annual temperature _________. increases decreases Temperature 0° Latitude 90°
How does closeness to a large body of water affect climate? Water __________ the temperature. _______ summers. _______ winters. moderates Cooler Warmer Cities A & B are located at the same latitude. City B is closer to a large body of water. Its temperature line is flatter (moderated).
How does the Orographic Effect affect climate? Windward Side: ___________ Leeward Side: _____________ cool, moist warm, dry
How does elevation affect climate? As elevation _________, the average annual temperature __________. increases decreases Temperature Elevation
How do ocean currents affect climate? Warm Currents: warmer climate Cold Currents: cooler climate
World Climate Patterns Section 3
Tropical Climate: Wet • Hot and wet • Average temperature of 80 degrees • About 80 in. of rain yearly • Nutrient rich soil • Abundant wildlife • Rain forests, example: Amazon River basin • Areas with this climate: South America, Caribbean, Asia, Africa
Tropical Climate: Dry • Dry winters, wet summers • High year-round temperatures • Fewer trees: Savannas • Areas with this climate: Africa, Central America, South America, Asia, and Australia • Sparse Plants: Deserts
Dry Climate • Desert: • Sparse plant life • Rainfall less than 10 inches • 1/3 of Earth’s total land • Sahara is 1/3 of the African Continent • Steppes: • Border deserts • Treeless grasslands • 10 to 20 inches of rain yearly • Found in North America, South America, Africa, and Australia
Mid-latitude Climate • Marine West Coast • Cool summers/Cool, damp winters • Mediterranean • Mild, Rainy winters/hot, sunny summers • Humid Subtropical • Short, mild winters/year-round rain • Humid Continental • Warm, hot summers/cold winters
High-Latitude Climate • Lack of direct sunlight allows for freezing temperatures throughout the year • Limited vegetation • Subarctic and Tundra
Highland Climate • High mountain areas • Higher the elevation, coolers the temps • Mixed forests at the base • Meadows with higher up